site.btaCommissioner Jorgensen: Europe Needs to Be Independent from Russian Gas

Europe needs to be completely independent of Russian gas, said EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen during his visit to the Nova Provadia compressor station on Tuesday. Together with Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for Energy Security Csaba Marosvari, he reviewed the implementation of Lot 3 (Rupcha-Vetrino) of the Vertical Gas Corridor project, which will connect Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

“The European Commission will always support such strategic projects,” said Jorgensen. According to him, these projects are the way for the EU to say ‘no’ to Vladimir Putin and prevent Russia from using energy as a weapon or from blackmailing any member state. He emphasized that the Vertical Gas Corridor is of critical importance for European security.

Jorgensen explained that the project will achieve several goals: it demonstrates solidarity and support for Moldova and Ukraine, ensures reliable energy supplies for all EU citizens at affordable prices, and strengthens the EU’s competitiveness and security. Additionally, it addresses the need to focus more on combating climate change.

In his remarks, Csaba Marosvari also highlighted the project’s key significance for the EU. He noted that Hungary is actively working to expand its network capacity, linking it with Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. Marosvari further stressed the need for the European Commission to resume financial support for projects like the Vertical Gas Corridor, especially when they are strategic and contribute to supply diversification